|
MANCHESTER -- Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that the club's "lucky" period will come and other sides will eventually suffer from refereeing mistakes. United have been denied penalties in their last two home games -- a 1-1 draw with Arsenal and 0-0 draw against Burnley. Matteo Darmian fell against Burnley after an attempted challenge by Jon Flanagan, while Antonio Valencia went to ground after Arsenal's Nacho Montreal put an arm across him. Mourinho was visibly upset at both decisions, receiving a touchline ban for his reaction to the Burnley incident. "Some of the teams who are having everything in their sights, their period for referee mistakes will arrive," Mourinho told a news conference. "The same team cannot be unlucky all the time." The United manager said that his three-year contract is a "fair" amount of time for him as he tries to restore the club as a force, but adds he is striving for success in his first season. He said: "The three-year contract I was given is a fair period of time. Three years is not just about the transfer windows, it's about my relations with the players, my personality as a manager. It's stability -- it's all about that. But, if you ask if I'm waiting for my third year to have good results, no. I'm going to immediately try in my first season to get results." When asked about staying beyond the three years, he added: "Let's go step by step. I'm in the beginning of my contract. I'm in the beginning of the process. Would I like to stay here for more time than the three years? Yes, I would. I would love it." Mourinho also spoke about Wayne Rooney, who has been in the spotlight for alleged late-night drinking while on international duty with England. The United manager responded briefly, stating: "I thought you would ask me if it is worse to be in the wedding or somewhere else." The Portuguese admitted that his team had "let down" the United fans "with a couple of really bad performances." Paul Pogba's displays are likely to be key to United recovering from an inconsistent start to the season and Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted that his time will come. United striker Ibrahimovic told the news conference: "Paul is working hard. He has a lot of pressure on him because he came for a big transfer fee and people expect him to do magic in a short time instead of being realistic. "He's a good player, he just needs to bring it out at Man United. You're as good as your team -- if the team is fantastic it makes it easier for the individual, and his time will come." Ibrahimovic also stressed that United are working hard to deliver silverware to Old Trafford again and keep the club at the top level, but said it would take time for that to happen. He said: "I think United hasn't won any big trophies for the last four or five years, but we're working hard for it and the right people are in the right positions now to bring it where it belongs. "For me United has to be at the top every year because that's the way the history has been for the last 20 years until five years back. That is where it belongs and that is what we are working for but it takes time." Benfica and Sweden defender Victor Lindelof has recently been linked with United, and Ibrahimovic said of his compatriot: "Victor is doing great things. He has a lot of responsibility for the national team. He is ready for the big clubs out there. It's up to him and what he wants. I know he's hot on the market." Looking ahead to facing Feyenoord on Thursday night in the Europa League, Ibrahimovic added: "When I was at Ajax, Feyenoord won nothing. I have no feelings for Feyenoord, only for Ajax -- I had a great time there and played with many great players." United go into the game sitting in third place in Group B, one point behind Feyenoord and leaders Fenerbahce.
|
